Thread by @Joyce_Karam

BREAKING: Video of hostage situation in #Lebanon at a major bank in downtown Beirut. An armed man is holding bank staff until they release his deposits, he says are $210,000:

Most Lebanese have lost access to their bank deposits/retirement pensions following the crisis in 2019, while many in political elite sent their capital outside country.

This, happening at Bank Beirut, is yet another indication of how explosive the economic situation has become

They’re negotiating w him asking to release a staffer to go get the money. He doesn’t buy it.

Reports of citizens on outside coming to support him.

Many Lebanese live day to day on minimum cash amounts they’re allowed out of bank or what expats send. Lost access to all savings

Scene outside the bank now of people who came to support hostage taker and who also have lost access to their deposits. That’s the level of frustration in Lebanon

https://twitter.com/adhammg/status/1557681814793248768

Correcting: the bank is Federal Bank in Hamra and not Bank Beirut as reported above/earlier.

Hostage taker in Beirut also has cans of fuel to burn whole Bank and himself down if he doesn’t get his deposits, his brother told Jadeed TV

UPDATE: Jadeed reporting Federal Bank offered armed man certain amount of money to resolve situation but he rejected because it was too low.

He needs significant amount from his $210,000 deposits to cover his father's surgery. He is armed with assault rifle and has cans of fuel.

It's now a full popular demonstration with music in support of Lebanese armed man trying to get his money from the bank. Standoff continues:

https://twitter.com/No_Homsi/status/1557708608896487430?s=20&t=qdsP-inFrMqynkLpbcF3lA

UPDATE: Bank in Beirut now offering armed man who came to take his deposits $30,000 (Jadeed).

His brother said when he first came in this a.m, bank sent him away, manager called him “a dog”. He returned with fuel cans, got gun,& is taking hostages. Protest outside supporting him

His father’s surgery needs $50,000 acc to a family member who spoke to media outside. An hour ago they offered him $10,000 (out of $210,000 deposits), he refused. Now $30,000.

Case illustrates breakdown of everything in Lebanon, financial, healthcare, security & social order.

Also very Beirut: restaurant in Hamra dispatched free food to Federal Bank where armed man is holding staff / others hostage.

Armed man allowed it. Standoff been going on in Lebanon for ~ 6 hrs but negotiations ongoing to give him part of his deposits to cover his dad’s surgery

JUST IN: Hostage situation resolved in Beirut #Lebanon. Armed man at bank, Bassam Sheikh Hussein exited Federal Bank, got in white security car, left area. (Jadeed).

Unclear what terms were agreed but 7 hour situation is over. Settlement been reached, he got an amount of $$.

UPDATE. Armed man got $30,000 of his $210,000 deposits after taking hostages and threatening to burn bank in Beirut. He needs money for his father's surgery, bank was refusing to give him access. All hostages released, safe, he was escorted with security. #Lebanon

This ends a messy but not surprising situation in Lebanon, given the crisis + banks' complicity. Closest you will see to a Robin Hood episode. Thankfully everyone is safe.

Thanks for following along. ENDS